Queensland Reds head coach Brad Thorn has confirmed his side to take on the ACT Brumbies for the Rod Macqueen Cup at Suncorp Stadium this Friday night.
Phransis Sula-Siaosi will earn his first Super Rugby start in one of four changes to the starting XV, with Angus Blyth returning to the run-on team after making his comeback from an ankle injury via the bench last week.
Flyhalf Lawson Creighton will feature in the number-10 jersey for the first time this season, while Filipo Daugunu is back on the wing after last week’s loss to the Crusaders.
Thorn said: “We face the Brumbies for the second time this season and they’ve proven to be one of the form teams in the competition.
“We get another chance to play in front of our home crowd. We’re looking forward to seeing them there on Friday night for what should be a good contest.
“Phransis has made good contributions coming from the bench and he’s earned an opportunity to have his first start. He’s another guy who has made his way to the Reds through club Rugby which is great to see and he’s impressed us with his work around the park."
Jock Campbell starts in the fullback jersey as Isaac Henry and Josh Flook combine in the midfield, Flook fresh from his first Wallabies squad selection.
Co-captain Tate McDermott and Creighton make for a new-look halves combination, with the Reds out to continue their hold on the Rod Macqueen Cup.
Harry Wilson, Fraser McReight and skipper Liam Wright continue their partnership in the backrow, while Blyth will partner Uru after the duo both re-signed with Queensland Rugby today.
Sula-Siaosi, Matt Faessler and Peni Ravai will start in the frontrow, with Ryan Smith, Zane Nonggorr and James O’Connor set to provide strike off the bench.
Queensland take on the Brumbies in both Super Rugby Pacific and Super W in a huge double header this Friday night. Get your tickets via https://bit.ly/3ZtxQzk.
- Peni Ravai – Easts – Ratu Kadavulevu School, Fiji
- Matt Faessler – Brothers – Toowoomba Grammar School – USQ Saints
- Phransis Sula-Siaosi* – Souths – St Joseph’s Nudgee College
- Angus Blyth – Bond University – The Southport School – Casuarina Beach Rugby Club
- Seru Uru – Wests – Ratu Kadavulevu School, Fiji – Namoli Rugby Club, Fiji
- Liam Wright (cc) – Easts – Anglican Church Grammar School – Easts
- Fraser McReight – Brothers – Brisbane Grammar School – Albany Creek Brumbies
- Harry Wilson– Brothers – St Joseph’s College Gregory Terrace – Gunnedah Red Devils
- Tate McDermott – University of Queensland – Sunshine Coast Grammar School – Flinders Rugby Club
- Lawson Creighton – Brothers – Padua College
- Filipo Daugunu – Wests – Dogotuki District School, Fjii
- Isaac Henry – Wests – Brisbane Boys College – Kenmore Bears
- Josh Flook – Brothers – St Joseph’s Nudgee College – Brothers
- Jordan Petaia – Wests – Brisbane State High School
- Jock Campbell – University of Queensland – The Southport School – Inverell Highlanders
- Richie Asiata – Easts – Anglican Church Grammar School
- Dane Zander – University of Queensland – St Joseph’s Nudgee College – Albany Creek Brumbies
- Zane Nonggorr – Bond University – The Southport School – Gold Coast Eagles
- Ryan Smith – Brothers – St Patrick’s College Shorncliffe – Caboolture Snakes
- Jake Upfield – Bond University – The Southport School
- Kalani Thomas – University of Queensland – Ipswich Grammar School – Souths
- James O’Connor – Brothers – St Joseph’s Nudgee College – Brothers
- Taj Annan – Souths – Brisbane Boys College – Merewether Carlton
*denotes Queensland and Super Rugby Pacific starting debut.
